Chapter 12: Kauai and the Other Garden Isle

"Roosters!" Lorelai exclaims.

Rory tries to calm her down. "I know, Mom."

Standing on the balcony of Luke and Lorelai's suite overlooking the garden of the Kapaa resort Lorelai cries again, "There are roosters everywhere!"

"You really can't even hear them when you sleep." Rory feels oddly defensive about the birds. They've been her harmless background companions to her explorations of the island.

Rory says, "At least Taylor discovered some ancient Stars Hollow law against keeping roosters in residential areas."

"Yeah," Lorelai starts reeling, "only after Jeremiah escaped one too many times during the night, waking up the rest of the town – particularly Taylor."

"I think my rifle's in the rental car, if you want me to get it," Luke chimes in with his ever-helpful suggestions.

Rory comments, "There aren't enough bullets on the island."

Crossing her arms, Lorelai glares at a few roosters strutting around in the grass. "Bad and terrible memories."

Luke enfolds her in his arms, saying in the gentle tone he uses only with her, "It's just for a few days."

She buries her head into his chest, and Rory takes this as her cue to slip out and see how Lane's faring with the audio equipment setup for the reception.

Although they're keeping it pretty simple, Lane had insisted that Jess ship over the band's equipment so that she, Zack and Brian could play.

When Rory arrives at Café Portofino she finds the trio arguing about the exact positioning of the amps for optimal sound quality on the deck facing the ocean.

Lane sees Rory approaching and turns to the boys, "You figure it out."

The friends move away from the continuing commotion and lean against the side of the deck.

Rory's eyes dart back to Zack and Brian as she asks, "Is everything okay?"

"It'll be fine," Lane says, dismissing the raucous behind them. "More importantly, how's the bride-to-be?"

"A little stressed but excited," Rory admits.

"There's nothing to worry about, we're all here for you."

"Lane, if it wasn't for you, all of this wouldn't be happening." Their friendship is a treasure to Rory that's usually hidden beneath the sand – she takes comfort in knowing it's there when she needs it but she doesn't always understand how great its value is until times like these when it rises to the surface and its shine is radiant.

Lane replies, "It would have happened regardless, just not as quickly."

Rory rests her head on the shoulder of her life-long friend, allowing the drama and excitement from the past few months to float away in the water below.

Lane continues, "I found my crazy but wonderful happiness with Zack, and I wanted you to find yours."

They watch the waves crawl up the beach, their endearing moment accompanied by the background soundtrack of two guys yelling at each other and banging around audio equipment.

Rory takes a few quiet minutes alone in her room. Mindlessly checking her e-mail she sees a message from the Hartford travel magazine Off We Go.

The e-mail from the assistant publisher reads that he's been enjoying the articles she's submitted, stating that the editor would love to hire her on for a year to write weekly articles for a series about traveling around the world. After the year, there is a possibility that she could be hired on full-time in a permanent position.

She dashes over to Jess' room and explains the opportunity to him. "It's perfect. Connecticut, here we come… again," he says, grinning.

His expression reveals no hint of distaste for the idea, making Rory all the more excited. As the wedding's a few days away, she decides to hold off sharing the news with anyone else.

On the afternoon of the wedding anxiety and stress kick in for Rory, not because of the upcoming vows but because of Paris' current rant on Rory's Hawaiian hair stylist.

"Come on!" Paris barks. "I've seen sea turtles move faster!"

After the hair is set just right, according to Paris, Rory slips into the floor-length white chiffon dress that she picked out with Lorelai, Lane and Paris at a Kapaa bridal shop.

Peeking out at the wedding setup along the beach, Rory catches sight of the long white aisle runner leading up to the flowered overhang planted firmly in the sand.

The ceremony begins with Paris escorted by Vincent from the Poe museum. They are followed by Zack and Lane. Matron of Honor Lorelai and Best Man Luke walk up next, their arms linked.

The sun starts to set, casting a golden glow over Rory and Christopher as they make their way toward the front.

She looks over the sea of people who have been with her throughout her life, some in more significant roles than others, but all playing their part to help form who she is today and making her wedding all the more special by sharing in it.

Sookie's fingers dig into Jackson's arm, as if the tighter she squeezes the less likely her tears will be to spill. Emily tries to keep her usual stoic expression but her lips quiver, betraying her. Rory thinks she even catches the hint of a smile on Mrs. Kim's face as she clutches onto the shoulders of Lane's boys.

As father and daughter finish their march Christopher lifts Rory's blusher and gives her a light kiss on the cheek. Winking, he takes his seat.

Rory holds her breath as she finally turns to face Jess. He's in a similar outfit to the one he wore at the premiere in London but his expression is radiant and unguarded in a new way.

The wedding is a whirlwind of emotion but Rory manages to keep her composure during the vows in spite of a slight falter in her voice. They end with a lengthy pronounced kiss, to which their guests whistle and cheer.

At the reception Rory feels a sense of relief – she didn't trip on her dress during the ceremony, she got through it without incessantly sobbing, and Jess didn't jump into the ocean and swim away from her (the craziest of the possibilities that plagued her mind).

When dinner is over, Lorelai and Luke give their speeches. Lorelai's starts out light, referencing a few funny stories from Rory's childhood, but leads into how proud she is of her daughter and that she knows Jess will be looking out for her – and if he doesn't, she'll personally hunt him down.

In Luke's short stumbling speech he says with all sincerity how grateful he is that Rory came into Jess' life and helped him through some difficult years. He also praises Jess for using his talents and making the most of his life.

Then Rory takes the microphone. "Thank you, all of you, for your love and support. It means the world to me to have you here to celebrate with us." She pauses and scans the crowd, mustering up the courage to continue. "A few days ago I was offered a one-year job opportunity with a travel magazine."

Her eyes fall on Lorelai, frozen with surprise and worry.

"It's in Hartford, so I'm happy to report that you won't be rid of me just yet."

A wave of relieved sighs is followed by crashing applause; her mom's eyes fill with joyful tears.

Rory concludes, "So thank you again for coming, and let's get this party started!"

The next day Rory and Jess leave for their honeymoon; the 14-hour flight southwest brings them to another island in the Pacific known as the Garden Island.

As the third largest of the more than three hundred islands making up the Republic of Fiji, Taveuni is known for its incredible flora, waterfalls and hundreds of indigenous and colorful bird species – the perfect secluded spot for their first few weeks together as a married couple.

Beyond the creaking wooden gate of Coconut Grove Beachfront Cottages are the rolling waves of the untamed ocean. Stepping off the path leading to the beach, soft dustings of gold hug their bare feet.

"I can't believe we're married," Rory says, resting beside Jess on a blanket near the ocean.

He moves a strand of hair from her face and tucks it behind her ear. "Are you okay with it?"

"More than okay," she says, leaning in to convince him with a troublesome kiss.

Gray clouds of regret appear over Rory's face.

"What is it?" Jess asks.

"I'm sorry I didn't just say yes in Paris."

Jess' lips brush against her cheek. "It worked out regardless."

The clouds continue hovering. "I don't want you to feel trapped in Connecticut."

"Listen to me, Rory," he starts with determination. "My crazy life's taken me all over the world, and before that I pretty much just hung out in Philly. Whether we stay in one place or move around a lot, I'm fine either way because I know it'll be with you."

The dreadful clouds lift from her face as she lies down to watch the waves crawl up the shore, never stretching far enough to reach their blanket. Jess snuggles in behind her, two puzzle pieces fitting together perfectly.

EPILOGUE

Rory sits at the kitchen table typing up her final article in the year-long series about her "round the world" trip. Her magazine editor offered her a full-time position, which she accepted with fervor and which she will be starting soon.

First, she and Jess have a few premieres to hit for the upcoming release of the second Chronicles film.

Returning from his weekly trip to the library, Jess walks into the kitchen holding up a thin cardboard box. "This was on the porch."

Rory eyes the package and exclaims, "It came in?!"

"It came in," he echoes.

Jess stands close by her side, sharing in this unforgettable moment. She tears open the box and digs out the book.

The cover includes a smattering of images from Philadelphia, Dublin, London, and all the other places Rory explored on her trip more than a year ago.

The words on the cover read:

The Gilmore Guide to Traveling the World

by Rory Gilmore-Mariano

Author's Note: Thank you so much for reading this story! Your follows, favorites and reviews are very much appreciated.